What to expect when visiting Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a popular national park and beach town in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province. It boasts a diverse rainforest, which is home to a great variety of flora and fauna. You’ll find here white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, and a whole variety of wildlife.
You can spend days without running out of things to do in Manuel Antonio — from chasing waterfalls to going on a catamaran cruise. But the town’s main draw is actually its beaches — white sand, turquoise waters — the perfect ending after hiking through its jungle.
3 ways to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 185 kilometers (115 miles) from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Indirect bus (5 hours 55 minutes), minivan (4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes) and private Transfer (4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 4 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from €11.10 for the indirect bus.Where to stay in Manuel Antonio?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Manuel Antonio.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Indirect Bus
The bus is a cheap alternative to the minivan. There are no direct buses from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio so you’ll have to take three buses. The transfers are easy though; there is just no guarantee that your connecting bus is available as soon as you arrive at the bus stations. With combined bus rates from €11.10, the 5 hours 55 minutes journey may be worth it.
Step 1: Monteverde to Puntarenas by Bus
Buses bound for Puntarenas depart from Santa Elena, at the Transmonteverde Bus Stop beside Centro Commercial Monteverde. Depending on where you’re staying around Monteverde, you can get here via a 10 to 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Transmonteverde operates about 4 trips daily with a travel time of around 2 hours. Keep in mind that most buses depart early in the morning!
Since not all buses are available daily, we recommend booking your tickets online at least a day before to be assured of a seat at your desired time.
You can buy your tickets through the Transmonteverde website for €6. If you don’t mind taking the risk of tickets being sold out, then you can also buy your tickets at the bus station for about €0.90 cheaper.
Buses park at Puntarenas Bus Terminal.
Step 2: Puntarenas to Quepos by Bus
From Puntarenas, you’ll then have to take another bus going to Quepos, 140 km southeast. Transportes Quepos Puntarenas offers several trips from 04:30 to 17:30. Depending on the time of your arrival at Puntarenas, you may have to wait a few hours for the connecting bus.
Travel time from Puntarenas to Quepos takes around 3 hours 30 minutes and a ticket costs €4.60.
The last stop is at Quepos Bus Terminal.
Step 3: Quepos to Manuel Antonio by Bus
Quepos is a town and transport hub located beside Manuel Antonio, just about 4 km north. There are already plenty of hotels and guesthouses around town. And if you’re staying in Quepos, you may be able to simply walk to your final destination.
But if you’re hotel is in Manuel Antonio, then you can take a short bus ride to get there. Buses from Quepos to Manuel Antonio depart every 30 minutes from 05:45 to 19:00 and then every hour onwards. A ticket costs €0.60 and the journey only takes 25 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute taxi for around €5.50.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Minivan
The minivan is a convenient way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. You won’t have to worry about any transfers because it’s a door-to-door ride. It’s a bit pricey, though. Ticket prices start from €39 for the 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes minivan journey.
Some of the minivan companies you can choose from are Super Shuttle Costa Rica, RideCR, Transportes Varela Monteverde CR, Interbus, Montetravel, Easy Ride, Sinwa Tours & Monteverde Express and Tropical Tours Shuttle.
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Book your tickets online so you won’t have to visit their office for reservations.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Private Transfer
Are you travelling in a group? A private transfer to Manuel Antonio from Monteverde can be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost. Rates start from €220 for a 5-seater private transfer.
We recommend booking your private ride through BookAway, which offers comfortable cars that come with trusted drivers.
Private Transfer options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Frequently Asked Questions about Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
What is the distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is 185 kilometers (115 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The fastest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is by minivan and takes 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is by indirect bus with ticket costs starting from €11.10.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
